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Ethanol Process

There is an interesting end use intended for a VP-6 press recently delivered by Vincent Corporation. It will be used in Gainesville, Florida as part of a pilot plant to produce ethanol alcohol.

The process to be refined in the pilot plant involves using a genetically engineered and patented bacteria. This unique e-coli bacteria is capable of digesting C-5 sugars.

The raw material in the process is stover. This is nothing more than chopped corn stalks and corn husks. Stover contains the hemi-cellulose sugar molecular structure known as C-5.

The first step of the process is to release the C-5 sugars through hydrolysis. Hydrolysis simply involves tumbling the stover in a pressure vessel for half an hour with 150 psi steam.

In the pilot plant the hydrolyzed stover will be run through the Vincent press. This will separate out the C-5 hydrolysate, or press liquor, so that it can be placed in a fermentation vessel. The fermentation will produce a 4% ethanol solution which can subsequently be distilled into 200 proof alcohol.

The fermentation of C-5 is possible only with a special genetically engineered bacteria. This microbe was developed and patented by the University of Florida. Vincent's client, Bioenergy Inc., has been granted an exclusive license to use this bacteria.